WASHINGTON —U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today announced the approval of Oklahoma’s consolidated state plan under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

“I am pleased to approve Oklahoma’s plan, which complies with the requirements of the law,” said Secretary DeVos. “I encourage states to use their plans as a starting point, rather than a finish line, to improve outcomes for all students.”

Allowing states more flexibility in how they deliver education to students is at the core of ESSA. Each state crafted a plan that it feels will best offer educational opportunities to meet the needs of the state and its students.

The following are some of the unique elements from Oklahoma’s approved plan as highlighted by the state:

• Oklahoma’s approach to school improvement hinges on partnerships between the state and district that push beyond compliance and focus on on-site coaching and guidance for academic success. A comprehensive needs assessment will identify unique focal areas for each site that inform planning, evidence-based interventions and budget alignment.
• Oklahoma will utilize the school report card dashboard to recognize and reward schools for Programs of Excellence that emphasize the importance of a well-rounded education.

“We are pleased that the U.S. Department of Education’s approval of Oklahoma Edge, our state’s eight-year strategic plan for public education, maintains its original intent and our steadfast belief that all students can grow and all schools can improve,” said Joy Hofmeister, Oklahoma superintendent of public instruction. “The plan, full of innovative approaches to the long-term success our students deserve and Oklahomans value, reflects countless hours of engagement with educators and more than 5,000 individual pieces of stakeholder feedback.”